Horses for SHTF - The ultimate Bug Out Vehicle BOV?

I don't remember seeing much on here about using horses in a bug out situation. I was raised around them and helped work cattle on my Uncles ranch but I never owned any myself. My rolling stone lifestyle prevented it.
But I recently aquired two mares and have been shopping for saddles and other gear. I have been looking at packs and bags. I figure they can be ridden or used as pack animals. Or eaten if circumstances dictate.
I will be buying another soon for myself. The wife and daughter have laid claim to the mares.
So I was wondering if anyone else had horses and what your thoughts are on thier value and use in a SHTF/BOV type situation.
What is the downside?
I found this set up on a website. It says that this rig was developed for and is being used by Special Forces in Afghanistan. Pretty cool.
And some other useful gear.

 

My thoughts too!! WOLVERINES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I didn't get them just for SHTF purposes. I would have them anyway. Always wanted horses but was always moving around so wasn't feasible. I have plenty of room for them now and lots of grass. I started building fence and am putting up a walk-in shed for the winter.
I was just thinking about their use in a post TEOTWAWKI world. I tend to look at everything in that light. I see the possible downside as a lack of veterinary care. My wife is a nurse and she is going to be studying about horse health and we are already well stocked with vet supplies, but will be stocking up on stuff for the horses.
A bug out on horse back would be a last resort option for sure. But it adds another dimension to survival preps.
Plus I always liked movies like Red Dawn and The Postman where horses were heavily utilized.
So back to my original query; any other monkeys own horses?

Hey Tango, we need a picture of a monkey riding a horse!!

 

Train, train, train. Your horse is as good as its rider and its training. Make sure they're not trail shy. Critters pop up from everywhere on the trails, but not so much in the arena . Make sure they don't spook around loud noises or flying objects and be sure they trust you and will come to you even when they don't want to. Using a harness and getting your horse to go where you want from way behind is something that you want to learn while you have a leisurely pace to learn it. Also; be sure the horses are acclimated and ready for endurance.

I'm not advocating for a professional trainer, unless you need riding skills, because they focus on skills you might need in a ring. Showmanship isn't all that important on the trails.

They are an expensive pet, but one that will work for and with you.

 

I dont have any MM although they are around me everywhere.I have had this conversation with lots of people here and they seem to come up with the same views.
They will work great if they can liveTrouble is most horses now days are bred to good/pure, and wont make it for long periods of time in the wild foraging. They need a specialized diet and meds etc.
Needs to be something of an Indian horse or Mustang one that is hearty and can make it without human interventions. IMHO

 

I got my first horse when I was but a wee girl and always had at least one until I was in my late 20's. I've had some fantastic animals and still miss having one for riding but they are a lot of work and the animal equivalent of a boat when it comes to a place to pour cash. The price of hay and grain has skyrocketed which means that unless you have sufficient resources to produce your own, be prepared to invest a lot of money but you'll end up with the best manure you can imagine. Farriers are required several times a year as well routine mouth care. Make sure you have a large animal vet local to you and that the practice makes barn visits. Otherwise, prepare to invest in a good horse trailer and a truck for towing. And you better be ready to muck out stalls at 5am every morning, rain sleet snow, and blister heat. As a teenager, cleaning the stalls before school every morning created more parent/child arguments than the condition of my bedroom.

 

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. I already have the horses so that's a done deal. The only thing I need to buy is a trailer. My friend is a ranch manager on a ranch down the road from me. He knew someone who had these two mares and had lost thier job and couldn't afford them. He knew I had plenty of land and would give them a good home so I got them for free. He has his vet check mine out whenever he comes out to the ranch to check on his horses. And they get truckloads of hay delivered every few weeeks so he just adds an extra 50 bales to the ranch order for me and I pay for it at his cost.

I have 65 acres with lots of good grass to supplement the hay so feeding isn't going to be a major expense. We split the call out charge on the vet too so I am saving money there too.

I always liked horses and I have ridden for years. My family are mostly farmers and ranchers so I have quite a bit of experience with horses. I just have never owned any myself.

I have known a lot of people who had horses but were always broke, lived in dumpy houses, drove junky vehicles, their kids wore hand-me-down thrift store clothes, yet they always had money for hay and trailers, saddles etc.. And would brag about how much this horse or that one was worth. That always bothered me. Sell the thing then and buy your kids some decent clothes.

I always said I would never have horses unless I could afford them. I have been blessed, after a 30+ year career of finally making a very comfortable salary. So I can afford a few luxuries such as horses. But I know that they are a lot of work. That's what God made teenagers for!!

I never thought about the manure. That's the kind of survival aspect I was looking for. Lots of fertilizer for the garden! And as for hardy I think these mountain bred horses are sturdier than many. And I guess it was providence but the one is a Lineback Dun Quarter and the other is an Appaloosa. Both I would guess to be hardy breeds.

Here is a pic of the girls. They both need a little wieght on them. The person who had them had 5 kids and was getting to the point of either feeding the horses or the kids. So they both were on the thin side when I got them.

 

The only time I've been on a horse. That is me, my sister, and Mom's Uncle Bert.

 

I bought one saddle a couple of weeks ago at a pawn shop. Looked to be almost new. Should fit the wife or daughter well. Gotta find a bigger saddle and horse for me tho! I wouldn't have the heart to haul my big azz up on the Appy. Maybe a Clydesdale, or a Friesen, or a draft horse.
Or maybe I'll just keep riding this 3/4 ton Ram. It doesn't buck. Much anyway.

So Ghrit, date that pic for us. Was that before the invention of the motorized tractor! sorry.


Here's a pic of my horse;

 

Not quite. Bert had two tractors that he didn't use. Said horses always started and didn't need a trip to town for gas. To be honest, I don't know the exact date, but it's likely before )($#%$&*&*)&*( (Bleeping keyboard won't always cooperate.)

Look carefully at the single bottom plow behind the horse, that'll give you an idea of the era.

(Bert kept a couple cows, a few chickens and guinea hens. The only mechanized thing he regularly used on the farm was an ancient Dodge flat rack, every thing except bringing in the hay was done with the horses. He had a late 40s Kaiser that he was known to use transporting calves. There was a self sufficient man, farmed, blacksmithed, sold farm produce and employed a couple hands as needed. His wife had the door garden, canned and all that. They swapped for necessaries with others in the area (think barter.) His brother had a sock full of acreage just down the road with woods the entire family hunted a necessary. One of 11 siblings.)